Bought my first gun, a Tikka t3x in 308. Many people I've talked to said your recommendations were on point. Now to look into scopes!
Only problem is there is some dents on the barrel. I know things get banged up and the first scratch it always the hardest to accept, but it sucks getting it pre banged up. What would you do in this situation? It took long enough to get mailed here (form Firearms outlet) and I really like the grain on the stock and I'd hate it if I had to return, wait forever, and get back a new good barrel with lesser stock
Are you going to hunt with it? The blemish is pretty minor compared to what you'll do to it in the bush. (I have an old synthetic tikka t3 in 7mm mag that the barrel has some "love" scratches in it from chasing deer). If its actual dents though id be more concerned.
If you do any amount of hunting with that rifle it'll get much more dinged up than that. Congrats on the rifle, tikkas are head and shoulders better than every other rifle of its price range and lower.
I know most people here hate to spend a little bit more money, but this is why you should buy your guns in person. Cabelas, Canadian Tire, whatever local shop...inspect it in your hands before buying.
I bought my CZ 457 for a $100 premium from canadian tire because the grain was PERFECT through the wrist. its worth it.
My wife has a tikka hunter in .270 paired with a 4-12x Leupold freedom. Great entry level glass that you probably will never need to replace.
Don't worry about the blemish, its not a delicate flower. Its a firearm that controls explosions and sends projectiles hurtling away from you. Embrace the character.
What area do you live in? You need a range.
Does the gun have iron sights? If so I would suggest spending some time developing your shooting technique with those.
Look up mapleseed markmanship, a most excellent one day course on shooting in various postions. You will need a .22 though, hopefully you can buy or borrow one.
The first scratch on a new tool is the hardest but it's over with already, I remember when I was first into guns I was worried about the slide rub marks on my mossberg 590a1. Now I don't even worry about case markings dinging up the cerakote on my brand new bar. If it's a tool it's going to get beat up.
Excellent choice in the rifle and the cartridge, and love the wood stock.
It always sucks seeing a blemish on a new rifle but luckily that is extremely minor. One day hunting will cause more blemishes than that or a single safe kiss.
I wouldn't worry about it and get out and shoot it!
The blemishes are one thing. Impact dings like that are another. I'd bitch til they send you a box or two of ammo. They're operating on the premise that you could have waited on a back order for months and they're doing you a favour by shipping a seconds quality rifle. Make sure your retailer understands that you're doing him a favour by keeping it.
Hey it’s their gun. Like buying a new truck with a scuff in it already. No matter how many more you get, the first one always sticks out. Especially when your buddy mechanic drives it into his tool box in front of you. At least acetone took out the red mark
Yeah sure its their gun now & Yeah thats a terrible analogy honestly. This isnt a 70k truck and typically people aren't gonna be baggin their brand new trucks into the bush to be roughly abused.
This is why I never order firearms online always in person. You can see the condition of the rifle then ask but again not the end of the world but yes I get it. You want you first rifle shiny and unblemished
Yeah as a Tikka dealer i can confirm theyre in backorder hell. However this one id bet was a display model. While FoC probably wont return it, id still reach out they may offer you some instore credit.
Ah so I feel like I made the right decision to get one online. Hope you see the other photo I've uploaded that shows the divot damage. Beyond the aesthetics, I hope that there isn't unseen damage that goes along with it
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn Jul 22 '26
Are you going to hunt with it? The blemish is pretty minor compared to what you'll do to it in the bush. (I have an old synthetic tikka t3 in 7mm mag that the barrel has some "love" scratches in it from chasing deer). If its actual dents though id be more concerned.